Morningside Cemetery

Robert Louis Stevenson's nurse's name was Alison Cunningham, who was called Cummy within the family. From Alison Cunningham, Robert Louis Stevenson received his introduction to literature, and all of the many different forms of literature. Alison Cunningham told Robert Louis Stevenson particularly dark and morbid stories about the Scottish Presbyterian martyrs, known as the Covenantors. She also read him penny-series novels, the Psalms, and Bible stories.

'Cummy' took up the post when he was 18 months old remaining with the Stevenson household until he was an adult, nursing him through his many illnesses. RLS referred to her as his second mother dedicating his, "A Childs Garden of Verses" to her. Cummy reading and singing to him played an important part in his literary development. Significantly, her headstone here in Morningside Cemetery was erected "by the widow of Robert Louis Stevenson".